How Do You Peel White Asparagus Without A Peeler?

White asparagus must be peeled, as the outside is fibrous and even woody at times. The usual way to peel asparagus is to hold it in your non-dominant hand, gripping it gently right below the head with the thumb and index finger and resting the stalk on the palm and wrist.

Do you have to peel white asparagus before cooking?

Unlike its green-skinned counterpart, white asparagus has a tough, bitter peel that must be removed before cooking.

How do you speed peel asparagus?

Use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to peel off the skin from the bottom half of each asparagus spear. You want to expose the lighter green and white part of the stems under the peel. Carefully repeat this step with all of the spears.

How do I peel white asparagus?

The usual way to peel asparagus is to hold it in your non-dominant hand, gripping it gently right below the head with the thumb and index finger and resting the stalk on the palm and wrist. You can use a common vegetable peeler or an asparagus peeler. Make sure it is sharp.

What is special about white asparagus?

Compared to green asparagus, white asparagus spears taste less bitter and are more tender, although the bottom two-thirds of the spears are very fibrous. Chefs peel this tough outer layer with a vegetable peeler before cooking white asparagus.

How much do you peel white asparagus?

Using a vegetable peeler, and starting about 1 1/2 inches from the tip of each spear, peel away the remaining tough outer layer.

Why do chefs peel asparagus?

Large asparagus stalks tend to be much thicker at the bottom than at the top, so peeling makes them more uniform and they will cook more evenly.

Is white asparagus healthy?

White asparagus is enriched with vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin-B6, and pantothenic acids. These vitamins are necessary for maximum cellular metabolic and enzymatic functions. Moreover, white asparagus is rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin A, C, and E.

Is white asparagus better than green?

Is There a Difference in Flavor? White asparagus has a more delicate flavor than green. While green asparagus is a bit grassy, white asparagus is sweeter and has just a hint of bitterness. This delicate flavor is perhaps why it’s so prized in Europe.

Why is white asparagus so expensive?

Why is white asparagus so expensive? Because growing white asparagus underground is much more labor intensive, that’s reflected in the price. Each stalk must be unearthed and cut by hand, a painstaking job. White asparagus can be as a much as $2 more a bunch than green.

Why do you soak asparagus?

Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness.

What part of asparagus should you not eat?

You can eat the whole spear except for the woody stem towards the bottom.

Do you wash asparagus before cooking?

A vegetable peeler can also be used to shave off the thick outer skin to reduce waste. Make sure to wash the asparagus before cooking, and try them with a towel if you are using dry-heat cooking methods like roasting or sauteing so it doesn’t steam instead of brown.

Does white asparagus taste different?

White and green asparagus also differ in taste. The white spears have a slightly milder flavor, whereas the green ones are a bit earthier and heartier.

Why is white asparagus bitter?

Some may claim that there is little difference in flavour between white and green asparagus but the absence of chlorophyll most certainly has an effect on the flavour of the stems. White asparagus differs to green in that it is sweeter but also has a slight bitterness that is mellowed through cooking.

How do you store fresh white asparagus?

If you are planning to use it right away, the best way to keep asparagus fresh is by wrapping the bunch with a few sheets of damp paper towel and placing it in a breathable plastic bag. Store it in the vegetable or crisper drawer of your fridge as soon as you come back from the grocery store.

Is white asparagus healthier than green asparagus?

Green asparagus has more antioxidants than white, but both are heart-healthy and great sources of fiber, vitamin K and other nutrients. While green asparagus is more common, white asparagus has a milder taste and is a fun way to mix things up.

What is white asparagus called?

White asparagus, often called the ‘royal vegetable’, ‘white gold’ or ‘edible ivory’, is the exact same vegetable as green asparagus.

Can you eat white asparagus raw?

The bottom line. Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.

Should I cut or snap asparagus?

The thicker the spear, the more pronounced the difference when snapped. THE BOTTOM LINE: You’ll throw away more asparagus if you snap off the ends, and the spears won’t look as long and elegant. For many reasons, we think trimming and peeling is worth the effort.

Is thick or thin asparagus better?

Thicker stalks are usually higher in fiber, according to Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops at Pennsylvania State University. But whether thick or thin, asparagus stalks of all sizes are nutritious and delicious. Asparagus is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, vitamins B6, A, and C.